Categories: Podcast

The Return Home 2025 – Ferrara

Ferrara is not your typical tourist destination in Italy, but it was on my bucket list as it is the birthplace of my 13th great-grandmother, Isabella d’Este. I was a bit disappointed only because there was very little mention of the d’Este women. But I guess a trip back to the Renaissance days.

When booking with Phil~italy mention Italian Roots and Genealogy

he d’Este family was one of the most powerful and influential dynasties of the Italian Renaissance, with roots tracing back to the 10th century. Originating from Lombardy, the family rose to prominence through military service, strategic marriages, and political alliances. They were initially feudal lords in the region of Este, near Padua, and by the 13th century had established themselves as the ruling family of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio. Their rule over Ferrara, in particular, was legitimized by the Holy Roman Empire and later the Papacy, securing their position as one of Italy’s princely houses.

Under the leadership of figures like Niccolò III, Borso d’Este, and Ercole I, Ferrara flourished as a center of culture, learning, and the arts. The Este court became a hub for Renaissance humanism, drawing artists, poets, and scholars from across Europe. The family commissioned grand architectural projects, sponsored renowned painters such as Piero della Francesca and Titian, and supported musicians and writers like Ludovico Ariosto, author of Orlando Furioso. Their sophisticated court culture and patronage rivaled that of the Medici in Florence.

The d’Este legacy extended beyond Ferrara when Alfonso I married Lucrezia Borgia, tying the family to the infamous Borgia lineage and further consolidating their power. However, the family’s fortunes began to wane in the late 16th century. When Alfonso II died without an heir in 1597, Ferrara was claimed by the Papal States, although the family retained control over Modena and Reggio until 1796. Despite the eventual decline of their political power, the Este family left an enduring legacy through their contributions to the Italian Renaissance and the cultural development of northern Italy.

Isabella d’Este (1474–1539) was one of the most remarkable women of the Italian Renaissance—a brilliant diplomat, passionate patron of the arts, and a symbol of female intellect and influence in a male-dominated age. Born into the powerful d’Este family of Ferrara, she married Francesco Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua, in 1490, uniting two great Renaissance dynasties. As Marchesa of Mantua, Isabella wielded considerable political power, often governing in her husband’s absence and negotiating with rulers such as the popes, kings of France, and the Holy Roman Emperor. Her court became a cultural center, known for its refinement, elegance, and intellectual vigor.

Isabella was an avid collector of antiquities and a discerning patron of artists, musicians, and writers. She commissioned works from some of the most celebrated names of the time, including Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Andrea Mantegna, and Perugino. Her private study, known as the studiolo, was filled with rare books, classical sculptures, and masterpieces that reflected both her learning and refined taste. Isabella also corresponded widely, leaving behind a vast archive of letters that reveal her political savvy, personal ambitions, and deep engagement with the artistic and cultural currents of her time. Today, she is remembered as a Renaissance icon—an embodiment of humanist ideals, feminine power, and cultural sophistication.

If you are looking for a short day trip from Bologna away from the tourist crowds, check out Ferrara. It’s only about a 30 minute train ride.

Be sure to visit our friends at Degusteria Divina a short walk from the castle. We had an excellent breakfast there.

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